2.3.2 The Question of Sovereignty

• The lack of emergency powers became associated with the issue of full sovereignty. For Adenauer, it became an issue of independence and control of the affairs of the FRG
• The Paris Treaties of 1954 ended the formal occupation of the FRG by Allied forces but still maintained their powers to take control during an emergency. This was supported by most Germans as Allied troops stationed in the FRG provided an effective means of defence
• Both the SPD and FDP opposed emergency legislation, meaning it failed to pass the Bundestag on 3 separate occasions
• In 1965, to enter the Grand Coalition, the SPD ended their opposition to emergency legislation as student protests grew more widespread and fears of the cold war intensified